Are There Still Prophets Today?

Today, we hear of modern day prophets prophesying about things to come that are outside of the Word of God. Are these true prophets of God? What does the Bible say about prophets and what is the true test to validate if modern day prophets are what and who they claim to be?

Old Testament Prophets

The Old Testament is full of prophets. There are the Major Prophets and the Minor Prophets. The Minor Prophets are not minor because they are unimportant. It is because their books are relatively minor in size when compared to the larger books of the prophets like Isaiah. These men were called by God and God spoke to them and they normally would say, “Thus says the Lord“ when they prophesied (Jer 26:2). When the Old Testament prophets prophesied, their prophecies always came to pass. Prophets like Jeremiah, Elijah, Ezekiel, Joel, and many others had historical events prove that they were sent from God and that they spoke the words that God gave them to speak, but there were also dozens of false prophets.

Today there are many so-called prophets that we might spell “profits” because they are motivated by money and make sensational claims. They promise financial blessings for anyone that sends in their “seeds of faith.” They even claim to know how many viewers or listeners there will be and that they will have their mortgage paid off or see their business prosper if they send in their offerings today. Truly God does not work this way. These are wolves in sheep’s clothing. What makes me say that they are really in it for money and not for God’s purposes? God knows that, “The conspiracy of her prophets in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured human lives; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst” (Ezek 22:25). These false prophets claim to have a special revelation from God and can prophesy about things, people, and events that are to come. You see many on TV, on the Internet, and on radio that claim to be modern day prophets.

In Deuteronomy 18:18, there was a prophecy from Moses about a prophet that would come in the latter days and what He would say and do: “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him.” This was one of the first prophecies about Jesus Christ. Like Moses, Jesus would bring people out of their sin, like Moses brought Israel out of Egypt (representing sin). He, like Moses, would bring them to the Promised Land, which for believers is the Kingdom of Heaven. One of the greatest tests of whether a prophet was sent from God or not would actually be if God put the words in his mouth. Now let’s see what God says about whether they are indeed true prophets from God or if they are a self-proclaiming prophet, thus making them a false prophet.

False Prophets Test

What was the test to see if a prophet was truly from God or was a false prophet? The litmus test for whether a prophet is from God or is a self-made (man-made) prophet is given in many different places in the Old Testament. In Deuteronomy 18:22-23 it says, “If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed.” Today, these so-called prophets should be thankful that they did not live in the Old Testament days for the penalty for being a false prophet was death!

Isaiah writes in 8:20, “God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.” Jeremiah said that, “among the prophets of Jerusalem. I have seen something horrible: They commit adultery and live a lie. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that not one of them turns from their wickedness. They are all like Sodom to me; the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah” (Jer 23:14).

Predictions of False Prophets

John actually saw the increase of false prophets as a sign of the end times and he commanded believers to not believe them. In 1 John 4:1 he wrote, “friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” Jesus said that in the last days, “many false prophets will appear and deceive many people” (Matt 24:11). Jesus and John’s prophecies came true in their day and they are increasing in number in our day. I have been in churches where some have prophesied about things that neither came true or that did not square with the Word of God. God is not giving new revelation today because we have all the revelation we need with the New Testament and the Old Testament. Jesus warned us to “watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves” (Matt 7:15). Further, Peter wrote that “there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping” (2 Pet 2:1-3).

Warnings of Adding Too or Taking Away From the Word of God

God gives a serious warning to anyone who adds to or who takes away from the words in the Bible. These warnings were given in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. I believe that anytime someone tries to add to the Word of God in the sense that they “heard God speak to them” is adding to the canonized Word of God and God takes this very seriously. In Deuteronomy 12:32 it says, “that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it.” In Deuteronomy 4:2 it is written, “Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you.” Even in Proverbs 30:6 God says we must “not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.”

Even in the New Testament, God thunders out that I “warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll” (Rev 22:18-19).

Conclusion

We have seen from Scripture that false prophets are in it for the money, they want to seduce people to follow them, they want to deceive others, they strengthen the hands of the evil doers, they do not turn people away from their sins, they introduce heresies, they are motivated by greed, and they crave self-glorification. The end is not a pretty picture for them. God will judge them at His return. As Peter wrote, their fate is sealed for they will be “bringing swift destruction on themselves. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping” (2 Pet 2:2-3). If you try to correct them using the Bible, watch out, because they are going to respond to you in a vicious way and even turn on you, for “they are ferocious wolves” (Matt 7:15). We have been warned to not believe them, stay away from them, and most importantly, don’t be one! For the end of every false prophet is worse than can even be imagined.

Jack Wellman is a father and grandfather and a Christian author, freelance writer, and Prison Minister. Graduate work at Moody Bible Institute. His books are inexpensive paperbacks that are theological in nature: “Teaching Children The Gospel/How to Raise Godly Children,“ “Do Babies Go To Heaven?/Why Does God Allow Suffering?,“ "The Great Omission; Reaching the Lost for Christ," and “Blind Chance or Intelligent Design?, Empirical Methodologies & the Bible."

Jack has written 978 articles on What Christians Want To Know! Read them in the archive below.

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There is about 20 books, epistles, writings, that are mentioned in the Bible like. The book of jasher, Samuel the seer, book of Nathan the prophet, book of Enoch, the book of the covenant, just to name a few.
If they to were prophets called of God and if they received some revelation from God wouldn’t their word hold the same weight as the other prophets who’s writings we have in the Bible? One thing that i can think of that would be missing is temples. They sure seemed to put a whole lot of emphasis on them in the Bible and we really don’t know or do anything with them any more.
Thanks 🙂
Chris

Thank you again Mr. Oaks. Where is the Book of Jasher mentioned in the Old or New Testament or the Book of Nathan or the Book of Samuel the Seer? The Book of Enoch is not really book but Jude only says that “Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints” (Jude 14). Now note carefully the actual facts that are set forth in this passage. There was a man of the early earth whose name was Enoch. He was the seventh generation from Adam, the first man (1 Cor. 15:45). Enoch uttered a prophecy of judgment against ungodly people who had spoken against God.

Observe further, by way of contrast, what is not contained in this text. Nothing is said about a “book of Enoch.” There is no phrase such as, “it is written in the book of Enoch.” Nothing at all is indicated about any literary production. Having established this, let us now note some data about the extra-biblical work that is called the “Book of Enoch.”

Problems are too many to mention and many are just plain heretical. Some reasons include:

1. They were never included in the Hebrew Old Testament.

2. They were never accepted as canonical by Jesus and His Apostles.

3. They were not accepted by early Jewish and Christian writers.

4. They do not evidence intrinsic qualities of inspiration.

5. They have been shrouded with continual uncertainty.

6. They cannot be maintained on a compromise basis.

7. Objections to them cannot be overruled by dictatorial authority.

Both Judith and Tobit contain historical, chronological and geographical errors. The books justify falsehood and deception and make salvation to depend upon works of merit… Ecclesiasticus teaches that giving of alms makes atonement for sin (3:3), and in I Maccabees there are historical and geographical errors….and more and more such problems that clearly make them not God-breathed but man-conceived.

These books were never included in the Hebrew canon of the Old Testament. Josephus, it will be recalled, expressly limited the Hebrew canon to twenty-two books, which are the exact equivalent of the thirty-nine books of our Old Testament. Josephus knew of other Jewish writings down to his time, but he did not regard them as having equal authority with the canonical works. So the Apocrypha were never received by the Jews as God-given Scripture.

These books were not accepted as Scripture by such Jewish writers of the first century as Philo and Josephus; the Jewish council at Jamnia (c. 90 A.D.); and by such eminent Christian writers as Origen and Jerome. About 400 A.D. the great Christian scholar Jerome, whose translation of the Latin Vulgate remains the basis of the official Roman Catholic Bible, strongly maintained that these books were “apocryphal” and were not to be included in the canon of Scripture.

These books, as far as the evidence goes, were never accepted as canonical by Jesus and His apostles. In the previous chapter it was learned that the Old Testament which Jesus knew is our Old Testament today. Jesus’ Old Testament was the Hebrew Old Testament, and the Hebrew Old Testament has never numbered these apocryphal writings. The apostles in their preaching mention many Old Testament events, but they never refer to any incidents or characters of the Apocrypha.

The book of Jasher is mentioned in Joshua 10:13 and in chronicles a whole bunch more books are mentioned. Who were the people that compiled the books of the New Testament? Just the little research that I have done showed that there was lots of controversy over what went in and what was kept out. It also appears that in some of the councils where they were trying to get some consensus on the books and certain points of doctrine people like Constantine (who was not believed to be a Christian only on his deathbed) and other questionable people who had worldly power, had a lot of influence on the decisions that should have been made by more godly inspired people. Could some of those men have been the “grievous men who would not spare the flock” as spoken of in the Bible?
Thanks again
Chris

Thank you sir. I didn’t know about Joshua 10:13 so I have learned something. The writers of the New Testament were the Apostles and Paul who was called by Christ also and became the Apostle to the Gentiles. These other books have not affected the plan of salvation and what we have not comprising the Old and New Testament, the 66 books that were written by 40 authors, contain no error. The other books contain errors and as I said, were never quoted by Jesus and He quoted much of the Old Testament but never from the Apocyrpha and even the Jews didn’t include these in their writings as God-breathed.

As for “these grievous men who would not spare the flock” which Paul wrote in Acts 20:29 he said in verses 29-31 “29I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.”

What is key is that Paul wrote that “AFTER I leave” is when these “savage wolves will come in among you” so Paul could not have been talking about the writers of the Apocrypha which came much earlier. Make sense. Thank you sir.

It just seems that the councils that were convened were not divine authoritative in nature. Like I said often led by non Christians. (Councils like…Laodicea, Constantinople, Carthage, Ephesus, nicean, clermont, Lateran, Pisa.) They appeared to be more political in trying to appease most parties and to prevent conflict. And yet we base most of our doctrinal interpretation on what came out of the non consensus… consensus of the councils, if you know what I mean. A lot of time for those grievous wolves to enter and make their mark. Then with an iron fist, the people with the differing view, who might have been right all along were persecuted and killed much like the apostles. Just a lot of questions about the origins. Hope you have a great Saturday.
Chris

Mr. Oaks….thank you so very much sir. It is so true…”iron sharpens iron” but rust never sleeps. You have caused me to learn even more and I continue to be amazed at just how much I don’t yet know. The day I stop learning from God and fellow believers like yourself, God will start resisting me because God opposes the proud but only gives grace to the humble like you and you have blessed me sir and I have learned something from you. How great is that!? Very I would say. May God richly bless you brother.

Thank you for your kind words. We learn from each other and both are edified. I agree with what you said earlier about how the plan of salvation is really the only thing we need to worry about. One question i had was could there be any room to question the validity of the outcomes of those councils. Especially some of the creeds that we almost take to be scripture today.
Thanks
Chris

Hi Chris,
I think your concerns are valid in this respect: if we place the opinions of men, even the men of the councils you of which you spoke, above the clear teaching of Scripture, we are in error. We can be confident that what God wanted included in the Bible is in the Bible. The Jewish community, and the first Christians, were already using the Scriptures (that we call the Bible) long before any councils convened to ‘decide’ on anything. My point is this (as I too have questioned the validity of some of these ‘councils’), we have the Word of God and the Spirit of God to guide us. Whether or not these councils got it right or got it wrong will not keep us from having the relationship with God that He provides through His Son, Jesus. It is our decision to follow Him or to reject Him that determines our eternal destiny. I choose to commit my life to Him, regardless of what any council then, or now, decides. God bless you.
Yours in Christ,
Robert

Thank you Mr. Oaks. Let me say that if you read the Creeds, they are all written from supportive Scriptures. That is why that they are almost taken to be Scripture for they are from Scripture, i.e. that there are Three Persons (the Trinity), Jesus died and rose again, etc. As for the outcomes of those councils, I do not think God’s sovereign will can ever be thwarted by men and Robert Driskell answered very well (thank you Robert).

Very interesting stuff!!! I have never taken the time to study some of the origins of our beliefs in particular the councils. The more I dive into them the more I see the corruption and political motives that drove these councils to formulate their decisions based on the influence of a few.Truth is not to be debated. It is revealed and then understood by the spirit. However they were debates over doctrine with no mention of divine intervention. Lets look at the council of nicene. It was presided over by emperor Constantine who was not a Christian, was not guided by the spirit, and only motive behind the council was to dispel the conflict under his rule. Which if allowed to continue would have led to the fall of his empire. What was the charge of that first council? To determine the nature of God and the relationship between Him and His Son Jesus Christ. Both sides of the debate was heard, no consensus was reached, Constantine sided with the Trinitarians so thus ended the debate. The opposers were excommunicated. Their writings were ordered to be burned and them and their followers were persecuted and labeled heretics. By no means was the debate settled.

Acts 20: 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, NOT SPARING THE FLOCK.
I believe he was speaking about this time where many of the gospel truths were debated and altered by men.

Even the books that are now in the Bible and many others, by these councils were floated in and out of the Book for the first few centuries. Is the Bible true? Yes. but their was more of Gods reviled word that is not contained in it.

Ultimately the most important thing is still believing in Jesus, and his plan of salvation, just as Robert said. However it appears to me that many of our absolute understandings of things, might not be so absolute and case closed after all and deserves some more of our thought and prayers.
Thanks
Chris

Thanks Chris. Your concluding paragraph was spot on sir. I agree that the most important thing is to believe in Jesus and Jesus is Head of the Church. I am only an under-shepherd and must have the humility and wisdom to know that He is God and I am not and that I will leave those things that I can not change to Him Who can.

“It was presided over by emperor Constantine who was not a Christian, was not guided by the spirit, and only motive behind the council was to dispel the conflict under his rule.”
Was it not stated by Joseph, “Genesis 50:20
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. It would seem by some of your comments you do not believe in the sovereignty of God.
“To determine the nature of God and the relationship between Him and His Son Jesus Christ. Both sides of the debate was heard, no consensus was reached,”
No where in the Word of God are we instructed to come to a consensus…..That is precisely what got Eve into trouble and sin, she and the devil came to a consensus…27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the [al]sky and over every living thing that [am]moves on the earth.” 29 Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the [an]surface of all the earth, and every tree [ao]which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you; 30 and to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the [ap]sky and to every thing that [aq]moves on the earth [ar]which has life, I have given every green plant for food”; and it was so. 31 God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day….15 Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. 16 The Lord God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; 17 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not [n]eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”…NOTE: This is where consensus will bring you…The Fall of Man

3 Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from [a]any tree of the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; 3 but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’” 4 The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! 5 For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves [b]loin coverings.” You will never arrive at the truth until you lay down all your skepticism and foolish curiosity and present yourself a living sacrifice(Rom12:1) that would include your mind will and emotions. Blunt I know but true. We can dance around the issues endlessly and forever try to figure truth out with our minds, our intellect but truth is understood in our spirit. If we are dead in our sin, we are blind and will continually “grope” seeking peace never finding it. One must be born again to ever come to a growing understanding of God’s ways.

Constantine was not yet baptized when he convened the meet of the Church leaders. But it was done in the spirit of God. God can use anybody (Christian or non Christian) for the good of His people.
Cyrus was a pagan king but God used him to make His people Israel to go and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem then. (Cf. 2Chron 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-2, 7-8; 3:7; 4:3-5; 5:13-17; 6:3-14; Isa 44:28; 45:1; Dan 1:21; 6:28; 10:1). Even King Darius (a pagan) made a pronouncement concerning worshiping God (Dan 6:25-27). Constantine, Cyrus, Darius or anybody can be used by God. We are all God’s creatures- men created in His image and likeness. God’s spirit is freed to used anybody He desires for either blessing, warning or even to punish His holy people.

Hello Fred. Yes, God can use anyone but God does not choose just anyone to be a prophet. Prophets are not needed as they were before since we now have the full canon of Scripture. Anyone who claims to be a prophet is adding words to God’s Word and being a “prophet” and having a “word from God” is like telling God, “God, your Word is good, but it’s not enough…we need more revelation,” so be careful who you listen to, especially self-anointed and self-appointed “prophets” because most are in in for profit, or are “prophets for prophet.” Read Jeremiah to see why I say that.

Thank you both for your comments. The point I was trying to make was that we in the Christian community often find ourselves putting up barriers that prevent our ability of finding truth. Centuries ago those man made councils closed the cannon of God. Effectively saying that we have enough and we don’t need anymore reviled word from God, knowing full well that there were many of their doctrines and key beliefs that had yet to be fully understood. I feel that is something satan has been trying to do from the beginning. Closing the heavens to Gods reviled word. Are all of those other prophetic records out there true? If they came from God they surly are but we do not even entertain the idea that there could be more out there. More that could help us better understand the gospel of Jesus Christ and our purpose here on earth.
God Bless
Chris

Chris, I guess the danger is that the “more out there” is allowing Satan via mankind to open the door to more possibilities of error. If we have the sufficiency of Scripture already in the 66 books…sufficient and efficient for salvation then we need no more. What we don’t know and what has not been revealed is likely not any of our business for God said that the secret things belong to God but those things He does reveal belong to us and our children (Duet 29:29). We are warned by God Himself to not add to any of the writings of this book (“this book” clearly being the Bible) meaning that this is all that we need (Duet 4:2, Rev 22:18-19) and since we have been warned and seen evidence of the Apocrypha not being God-breathed and containing many errors, we can not go outside of what God has revealed. Just saying…

More that could help us better understand the gospel of Jesus Christ and our purpose here on earth.
What more do you need than, Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, lived a sin free life, fullfilled the law, died on a tree for our(yours and mine) SIN, was buried, rose again and ascended to be with the Father. Repent and believe and receive Jesus(eternal life) and as we go make disciples teaching them to obey Christ. We all know much more than we obey now. May the peace of God rule in your heart this day.

I didn’t find any comments from you in the trash and I did find comments of yours which included:

Jack, I am interested to hear your thoughts on what I posted the other day. If you are still prayerfully studying it out, that’s ok and I understand. I don’t want rush you. Just when you have some thoughts about it I’d like to know. Blessings [and this one]

Farrell, I will answer you questions with a couple of questions.
1. Do you believe that the WHOLE Bible is the inspired word of God and the ONLY source of faith and practice for the Christian?
2. Have you studied the doctrines of other churches and compared them to scripture to be certain that what you believe is able to stand firm on the Bible and the Bible alone?

Your answer of number one will determine your answer for number 2. [and this one]:

Kevin, if you look into the history of the reformation you will see why there are so many different churches. Here is the short version. During the dark ages satan worked through the only church to stamp out God’s word. That is where the dark ages term came from because they tried to take the light of the world out. They translated it into a language that only church officials knew so the common man could not read it. God preserved his word through people like the Albigenses and Waldenses, who copied the Scriptures and secretly gave it to the common people. Then God began to raise up reformers. (Not in this exact order) God raised up Martin Luther who rediscovered righteousness by faith. And people began to follow him. After Luther died, God raised up John Wesley. ….etc…

I had to cut it short. Are these your comments. You may have to go back to “Previous Comments” to find them because when a certain amount of comments pile up on one webpage, the go to a newer page but your comments are still there. I found one on the “Previous Comments” and then the others are clicking again on “Previous Comments.” This article gets a lot of comments so that happens frequently. Thanks Nathaniel.

Below is the one I was talking about.
I do not believe there are any prophet on this earth today. But to say they never will in the future is not biblical either. I do believe that the scriptures we have today has all we need to know about salvation and instruction in righteousness. Not every prophet from Bible times had there words or writings in scripture. Also for every major event and every time prophecy mentioned in the Bible there was a prophet at the beginning and end of the prophecy. There were proclaiming prophets and gathering prophets. The proclaiming prophet preached repentance and it ended up scattering God’s people. Gathering prophets preached present truth and gathered the remnant of God at the end of the time prophecy and after years of everyone being scattered.
Below are tests of a true prophet. One must meet and pass every test to be considered a true prophet. If one does not pass even one they are false.
12 Biblical Tests of a True Prophet of God

1) All the predictions of a true prophet come to pass. If a prophet’s predictions do not come to pass, the prophet and the predictions are not of God.
“And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.” Deuteronomy 18:21,22

2) A true prophet’s predictions will be 100% correct. There is no margin for human error.
“The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the Lord hath truly sent him.” Jeremiah 28:9

3) A true prophet keeps God’s law and abides by the testimony of the prophets in God’s Word. If a person claims to be a prophet of God, but does not keep God’s commandments and does not follow all the testimony of the scriptures, he/she is a false prophet.
“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20 “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” 1 John 2:4

4) A true prophet believes in the incarnation of Jesus Christ: that Jesus is God, but that He came to this earth and took on humanity in order to redeem this lost race.
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.” 1 John 4:1-3

5) A true prophet does not give his own private interpretation. He only interprets what the Lord reveals to him.
“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” 2 Peter 1:20

6) A true prophet only prophesies in the name of the Lord. He is not concerned about glorifying himself, only the name of the Lord.
“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:21

7) A true prophet helps and strengthens the body of Christ, his church, and works to uplift it.
“But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.” 1 Corinthians 14:3-4

8) A true prophet of God will manifest good works; his ministry will produce abundant spiritual fruit.
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:15-20

9) They receive their messages from God in the form of visions or dreams.
“And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.” Numbers 12:6

10) When they are in vision, their eyes are open and they do not blink.
“He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:” Numbers 24:4,16

11) When a true prophet is in vision he/she does not breathe.
“For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.” Daniel 10:17

12) A true prophet receives supernatural strength while in vision.
“Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, ” Daniel 10:18

Additional references:
“And the dragon [Satan, see Revelation 12:9] was wroth with the woman [Church, see Revelation 12:6], and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Revelation 12:17
“…the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Revelation 19:10
“Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” Amos 3:7

Thank you Nathaniel. “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He HAS [past tense] spoken to us by His Son”(Hebrews 1:1–2 ESV). It doesn’t say He continues to or will again. This is a complete sentence and complete thought.

It’s no accident that the word “spoken” is in the past tense. God has conclusively spoken to His people through the testimony of His Son recorded on the pages of Scripture. What the Old Testament prophets looked forward to with longing, we can look back upon with certainty.

Although charismatics deny that they are trying to add to Scripture, their views on prophetic utterance, gifts of prophecy, and revelation really do just that. As they add–however unwittingly–to God’s final revelation, they undermine the uniqueness and authority of the Bible. New revelation, dreams, and visions are considered as binding on the believers conscience as the book of Romans or the gospel of John.

The Holy Spirit is working mightily in the church today, but not in the way most charismatics think. The Holy Spirit’s role is to empower us as we preach, teach, write, talk, witness, think, serve, and live. He does lead us into God’s truth and direct us into God’s will for our lives. But He does it through God’s Word, never apart from it. To refer to the Holy Spirit’s leading and empowering ministry as inspiration or revelation is a mistake. To use phrases such as “God spoke to me,” or “This wasn’t my idea; the Lord gave it to me,” or “These aren’t my words, but a message I received from the Lord” confuses the issue of the Spirit’s direction in believers’ lives today.

Inviting that kind of confusion plays into the hands of the error that denies the uniqueness and absolute authority of Scripture. The terms and concepts of Ephesians 5:18-19 and 2 Peter 1:21 are not to be mixed. Being filled with the Spirit and speaking to one another in psalms and hymns is not the same as being moved by the Holy Spirit to write inspired Scripture.

We see the history of the Mormon’s as to what self-proclaimed prophets has done…they have led many astray as the blind leading the blind into a pit. Don’t we have all we need in the Bible? What more do you believe we need that is not already in the Word? Duet 4:2, Prov 30:6, and Rev 22:18-19 give stern and deadly warnings and dire consequences for those who do and every time a prophet spoke of old it was recorded and considered as Scripture and as the very Word of God.

Again I ask, ” Don’t we have all we need in the Bible? What more do you believe we need that is not already in the Word? “

By the way in the “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, BUT in these last days He HAS [past tense] spoken to us by His Son”(Hebrews 1:1–2 ESV). It doesn’t say He continues to or will again. This is a complete sentence and complete thought. The word “but” is precise vocabulary that separates the previous from the following and so we see this as “but now” which most translations have correctly. But now means we no longer need prophets as “God spoke” [again, this is in the past tense form of the Greek]/

Mr Wellman I get what you are trying to say that we need to be overly cautious in our search for truth lest we be deceived by an evil spirit. However if we are living a Christ centred life the Holy Spirit will be there for our guidance. If we have full faith and trust in God, He will not lead us down forbidden paths. Scholars have always said that we have the Bible so why do we need any more revelations from God. God never closed the cannon of his word, Man did. We can never have “enough” of Gods revealed word. Jewish tradition believed that they had “enough” and in doing so they left no room for Christ and his “new gospel” which we know was not new but a fulfillment of that which was prophesied. None of us would be Christians today if the believers back then had kept their closed minded view on Christ and His gospel.

There are a couple things that we tend to over look in regards to the warnings that are in Revelations and Deuteronomy

Revelation22: 18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
1- It says that if any MAN adds to or takes away from. Many more prophesies were received after both of these warnings. The prophecies came from God through his CHOSEN prophets so that is acceptable and still would be if God choses to reveal more to us today.
2- “Add unto” and “take away from” There is a fine line that we must walk between the two. It gives us the same warning not to “take away” from his word as well, so by us not including some of these other books that contain Gods revealed word, we are effectively taking away from the word of God. The penalty is the same for both.
Now i am not saying for us to stop reading the Bible. That would be blasphemes. The Bible needs to be the basis for all of our understanding through the spirit. However many of those other books help clarify certain points of doctrine that the Bible leaves a bit scant. I feel to say that many of the members of those early councils had their own agendas and predetermined beliefs that if some of those other books taught something different than their interpretation of the gospels they might count them as non inspired works and through them out of the Bible. Even though they could have been wrong them selves.
In response to my new phishing buddy. Although the Plan of salvation is the most important of all the teachings of the Bible. Christ taught us much more than that. Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where will we go after this life?
Thanks
Chris

In response to my new phishing buddy. Although the Plan of salvation is the most important of all the teachings of the Bible. Christ taught us much more than that. Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where will we go after this life?
So as Christ has taught us all you mention what un-revealed things are you lacking that prevent you from living an abundant full life, that will honor and glorify Jesus Christ.
“However many of those other books help clarify certain points of doctrine that the Bible leaves a bit scant.”
Leaves a bit scant?????? Surely you must regret writing that comment. I encourage you to lay down your fleshly curiosity and wholly commit yourself to the God who formed you before the foundations of earth was laid and fully trust Him and the Word He has preserved for us to know and grow in Him. God help us to know when our desire to know more is from God’s own hand and when our flesh is stirring up unfounded doubt driving us know more to satisfy the flesh and its desire to be exalted. Now before you accuse me of judging you and accusing you of something you are not, just turn me over to God to deal with me where I am in error. My fleshly curiosity has often gotten me in water deeper than God intended for me to swim in. It’s just you seem to reveal a lack of peace and rest(I could be wrong if so forgive me) and I desire you to have the assurance God has preserved and revealed to us, all we need to know to please Him and if He is pleased with us what more do we need, and remember He is indeed pleased with us as we are “in” Christ. “No longer I(we) but Christ.

Chris,
This is a good discussion we’ve got here. I understand your points, I don’t agree with many of them, but you state them clearly. I have one question though. If we are to test any ‘new’ revelation with the Bible, why isn’t the Bible enough? It seems to me that, merely by saying we must test everything by comparing it to the clear teaching of the Bible, we are saying that the Bible is the standard by which other ‘revelation’ must be judged. Therefore is that not saying that the Bible is fully sufficient? If not, by what means do we judge ‘new revelation’?
Yours in Christ,
Robert

Mr. Oaks, this will be my last response because I see we are not getting anywhere and you obviously are saying to God “Sorry God, the Bible is not enough for us….I need more.” That is what the essence of what you are saying.
You apparently just want to not ever be satisfied with what we have in the Bible and want more outside of the Bible and then we open ourselves up to “man-breathed” and not God-breathed. I hope you find peace someday from whatever source you are looking for.

Why are we here?? The Bible is clear…we are to glorify God but I guess that’s not good enough for you.

Where will we go after this life? To heaven if we trust in Christ Jesus after repenting (Acts 4:12. 16:30-31, Rom 10:9-13, etc) or to eternal damnation if you reject Christ as Lord and Savior.

Where did we come from? God created us in His own image. ALL of these 3 questions are ALL in the Bible. Jesus says frequently said “Have you not read….?” That is my question to you sir. Good bye and take care.

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[d]? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.
Corinthians
I am confused about your words when I read what is written.

Thanks Zechariah for your question. Paul was asking a question that is obviously no. He asked, “Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues?” Obviously not all have all gifts. You are confused not by MY words but these are words from the Bible and so they are not my words but GOD’s words.

No, Jack, I think Zechariah said what he meant. He said he is confused by YOUR words after reading the Word of God that says:
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.
I, too, unfortunately, am confused as well. Why would the Word of God describe Gifts of the Spirit, one of them being prophecy, just to have you say that there is no prophecy?
If the Holy Bible is “God-breathed”, as you like to say, then what’s going on here? Either one of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit of the Living God IS prophecy, or it isn’t, thereby making God a liar.
I keeping reading every where, pretty much the same thing. We still have healings (gift of the spirit), we still have apostles (gift of the spirit), teachers (gift), pastors, evangelists, authors, speakers, writers, bloggers, etc. but no prophecy or prophets. How does this make sense to anyone?
All the other gifts are needed, active, and true, but not prophecy. I will end this by saying this, Jack, if you intend to place forth an argument of this value, then I would have to say you should present a more resounding debate. Translations in Hebrew, Aramaic, as well as Greek, in order to establish your line of reasoning.
For everyone else, like what has been posted from the beginning of this entire thing, the Word of God is all you need. If someone teaches anything contrary to what is written within that text, make sure:
1) you are equipped with the knowledge of the Word to thwart any opposition to the Living Word of the One True God
2) anyone saying they have researched, studied, or learned knowledge that differs from your understanding presents their reason for being arrogant enough to state such.
I pray for everyone of you asking God to bless you, keep you, protect your minds and hearts, and to fill your life’s with His Holy presence. May you have enough. God bless you all.
-Joseph-

Mr.Wellman
I believe that God has called me to be a speaker on His behalf. I want to be sure that He is seen and not myself. I can teach what He has laid on my heart without being a false profit right?(adding to) I plan on using scripture and not taking and Bible verses out of contexts, but I want to be sure that I am going about it the right way to be sure HE is seen and not myself.

Thank you Lydia. I believe you can speak for Him as long as you are using the Word of God for in it there is no error but what is “laid on your heart” should naturally agree to what the Bible says. As long as He is glorified, as you seem to be saying, I believe God would be pleased. Where do you mean to be a speaker at Lydia?

Thank you again Zechariah for your question. God is sovereign and He can use any gifts that fulfill His mission and that glorify His name. I don’t have a gift list for still being relevant today but I believe that what is more important is what are the fruits of the Holy Spirit for these are what Jesus said that men will know that you are His by and not by gifts. Fruits supercede in importance gifts but both are necessary.

Thank you for your kind response. He is our one and only sovereign God and he speaks to his people today.

It is at this time I see false proclamations in the Church and false humility in the hearts of the people. There is no place for this in my house and I caution those who claim to know the fullness and breadth of my love and spirit to lay down their pride and their knowledge and cast themselves on me under my reign. I have no more than an ear for those who cast aside my children who reach to me in love and the sanctity of my betrothal to them to admonish with scorching tongue he who seeks me with all his heart. It is not unto man that I gave the ability to make claims as to how I move in my people to this day. Hold fast to the spirit I gave you and let my will be done. It is not for parts of the body who do not see to hold down and lay bare the ones who can hear my voice in the wilderness. For I give and I take and I breath life into the spirit of those who seek me. For at this time my people are hungry. They are thirsty for my spirit to be poured over them once more. Where my word has lost all meaning and been tainted by the hands of my oppressors I bring forth news – and it is good news. My people will come and they will worship at my house. They will see my love for them and the promises I made before their time had come. As the age of old from where my word unfolds, no one can change what is written and least of all he who misunderstands. My fire will come down upon you and remove the coverings of your eyes. Unto little children humble in their spirit – open in their hearts and lacking in all knowledge – I will give the power to edify my people and lead them back to my truth.

You can accept this or reject it – I know from whence I speak.
Your journey is not complete – your hands are still tied to earthly perceptions of your heart and mind.
There is no evidence of your claims and your heart has grown practised and void of seeking the clarity and truth that the word of our most high God brings to each mans spirit.
Your desire to do and give and teach out shadows your love as the church of Ephesus. Bow and worship the living God – humble yourself once more and be led by His spirit. Be at peace and move forth with words of wisdom to the people. Teach them the truth – be guided to the words – do not fear for at the time they will be given. I will uplift you in your work as a teacher of the good grace of our Lord Jesus Christ – turn your eyes up to your Father and hear HIS VOICE once more. Do not be led by the understanding of the world and all it perceives of sovereign truth.
Zechariah

OK, I truly don’t mean to seem argumentative, so please don’t think I am (smile!!). But I want to say that, for example, the Book of Revelation was written after the the Book of 2 Peter. The Book of Revelation is filled with prophecy discussing the day of judgement, etc…. If there were only teachers and not prophets after the writing of 2 Peter, how does one explain the Book of Revelation? Please know that the Holy Spirit is REAL and I feel (and invite) His presence (often referred to as the indwelling of the Holy Spirit). We can examine 1 Corinthians 3:16, 2 Corinthians 6:16, 2 Timothy 1:14, and John 16:13. The Holy Spirit does indeed provide inspiration and leads and guides us!! This lets us know how great a Gift God gave us by/through the Holy Spirit. Sometimes I think we place too great an emphasis on what scholars say instead of praying for discernment to rightly divide the word of God. It certainly is important to use study tools such as commentaries, concordances, etc…, but we have to maintain a focus on what the Bible says.
Just one more thing (smile!), in reading 2 Peter:1, I agree that it clearly says there were false prophets and there will be false teachers among the people. This is undoubtedly TRUE. But I don’t see how we arrive at a conclusion that the verse says “while there were false prophets in days of old, there are no longer prophets but only teachers.” The point of this is certainly not to argue, but to perhaps consider that there were false prophets, there are false teachers, and there could be false prophets. I think that verse might be in context of the newly created church in that there are and will be false teachers in the church (which as said earlier is certainly true).
The thing about the God ordained prophets in the bible is that they did not control the declaration of prophecy, in that they did not determine when prophecy from God would occur, and what the prophecy would say. The prophets are just instruments being used by God (the same way a musical instrument does not create music on its own, but is at the mercy of the musician). God is the power behind the prophets, the prophets can’t do anything on their own accord. This is similar to what God told the Apostles in Matthew 18 when he said they would have power to loose on Earth what was loosed in Heaven (meaning they can only perform works sanctioned by God and only decree that which God ordained). No power is of their own, the glory belongs only to God.
Again, please know, the purpose of this is not for needless argument or unnecessary discussion. My posting is sincere (but I await any responses and do not intend to post anymore in the near future). Thank you!

Amen my friend. Jesus told the Apostles that in Matthew 18 but He did not tell this to the church. Who was He speaking to? The Apostles. Either this is true: “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that we should earnestly contend for the faith which was once [literally, ‘once for all’] delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3) or it is not. Jude didn’t say that it was once and will be later delivered. John’s revelation is not his own so that is not fair to compare John’s revelation as his own. Rev 1:1-2 says “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him [John], to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he [John] saw.” was it John’s prophecy? No, it was The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him [John].

I agree with you Sir on the aspects of healing – I agree with you Sir on the aspect of False prophets – I agree with you on Charismatic teaching principles making the word of the Most High about their own physical well being.
I still however do not agree with you that prophesy is not of this age – for God is timeless.
I would ask how we are to ‘test’ prophecy in context of your view that if it comes to pass then it is deemed to be of the Lord.
How do we feel about prophecy that gave revelation about things that would come to pass beyond the lifespan of the prophet? Or did this not occur? (perhaps I have misread or misinterpreted?)
I would also ask if prophecy may be for the edification of Gods people – a word from the Lord to uplift and encourage. And can this not take place in many many ways? Including prophecy into their HEARTS and MINDS with HIS SPIRIT of LOVE and COMPASSION for their TRIALS.
Can it not be said that He teaches through His spirit with words of wisdom that convey and help to INTERPRET scripture through HIS spirit? Or is this not at all a possibility dear Sir – I ask of you kindly. Too Consider. The types of prophecy that may occur today – easily to be distinguished from healing on demand – it is not for us to demand that God prove who His prophets are WHEN it is demanded of Him by mere mortal men – as it is not up to us to demand Him to heal us for our own satisfaction. It is wise men who WAIT on God for his presence and the words they will speak – I pray you be this man dear Sir. Not to be brash and full hardy in your pursuit of excellence – In arrogance of your own knowledge and understanding – I fear you may have missed the point entirely, not open to the possibility and mysteries of the Creator. You can NOT say that you know full well the entirety of all meanings contained within the Fathers good word – and I urge you to know – you too – have your limits to what He has equipped you for. As all parts shall learn and know different aspects of the Fathers will – it is not for one man to state nor for a hundred – that the truth given to another is not sound in its origin from Gods hand. How be it that man can declare himself sovereign over the voice of the Almighty? I fear you may incur more harm than good in denying the possibility that God speaks to us TODAY – and warn others you should of the wicked way of the Pharisee..and yet… thou too dear Sir would cut off those from the Church that dare to disagree with your stance. It does not fit neatly into your perceptions of what you have been taught by the doctrine and thus to you – you have esteemed yourself as the ultimate authority. I beseech thee to urge your people to seek out the wicked and the false teachers and Pharisees of our time and to look to the refreshing dew that comes to show them their wicked ways. Your voice is powerful – your spirit conceited with pride – you will shun those – as the elite did with the prophets of old – into the wilderness. But they will be heard – by multitudes – their words will be known and they will be revealed in time for the truth which they speak -as given them by the Father in Heaven – their spirits will be renewed and their weakened limbs will be strengthened once more with the pleasant sounds of the voice of the Lord. In a time when all has fallen and all has been broken and shattered and shorn…when the world is taken by the the deceit of the enemy and but a few remain – so every knee will bow at the gleaming light of the one we call Father. He will move over His people and He will fill them with the true wisdom of His ways – not in the ways of man made doctrine and earthly perception but with the sounding triumph of heaven surging in their veins.

Dear pastor Wellman, my name is bob and i would like to know if you are aware of any true modern day prophets of GOD??? i do know that there are a lot of false prophets but are there any genuine prophet in our modern times?? you can contact me with your answer at oneguns@hotmail.com thank you and GOD bless you sincerely BOB SCHREINER— oneguns@hotmail.com

It looks like your web site has a problem. I asked a question and tried to send it but it was rejected at least three times because I could not see the “Robot Images” very clearly. When the last went through it said I had already sent the question or something like that. My question is: In your article about true prophets today I did not see your answer to that question. You answered the question about false prophets well but where is the answer to the original question. Thanks you.

Hello Mr. Miller. I don’t see any place in the Bible, Old or New Testament that shows that there are going to be other prophets in the future. I can’t see one verse that shows this to be true but we see many verses where it was said that the faith once delivered…and God has spoken (past tense)…and such. Why would we need prophets today since we have all we need in God’s Word because the Bible is God speaking to us…and it is sufficient as it is.

With regards to books that were left out of the Bible, particularly books of the New Testament such as The Gospel According to Judas, or The Gospel According to Mary or Thomas. First, these books were written much later than the four gospels we know today. Second, they are in stark contrast to the four gospels and contradict much of basic theology we get from God’s Word. Same with Old Testament books like the Book of Enoch. Out of curiosity I actually read a good bit of that book a few years ago. It also is in stark contrast to the other books of the Old Testament and was thus left out. While it is certainly true that men chose the books of the New Testament we find today, they weren’t chose haphazardly and much prayer and thought went into them for the reasons I’ve described above.

To all that seek prophesy and The Truth, love is the key to unlocking His secrets. If someone says they hate you, love them back, if someone mocks you, love them back. When Satan attacks you in any way, shape, or form, love the person that he is controlling with all your heart and evil will run like a coward. Stand confident in your faith and do no let anyone tell you otherwise. God will see your love and will reward you. Ask yourself what would Jesus do and follow through with complete confidence and faith in Jesus Christ. We have not because we ask not. Continue to give thanks to The Lord as He is controlling our destiny. Always give thanks to The Almighty for this is His Holy Work and not ours. We may falter and lose our path, but God will strengthen us and force us back on the path of righteousness. Today, we are scoffed at by the men and women Satan has deceived to extreme measures. We will be attacked and ridiculed, but to no avail as Jesus and The Holy Spirit will protect us. Know it is not the person attacking you but Satan and his evil ways. Jesus Christ has already won the war against the deceiver, but Satan will stop at nothing to turn our hearts against God. We have already won! Satan cannot win and he knows this for he is trying to destroy as many souls as he can before His Second Coming. The time is near, stand fast and hold onto The Holy Spirit within you, as He will guide you in your path, however hard it may be. Prayer and The Holy Word of God in The Bible is our most powerful weapon against the evil one. He cannot stand it, for he will snare and get angrier and angrier the more we spread The Good News of The Gospel. Know he cannot harm you as The Almighty will see your love and protect you until it is your time to be received into heaven. Satan is a wasp without a stinger. His only weapon is fear for death has no sting!!! When you see evil pray for the soul that is lost. His Second Coming was prophesied many years ago. Look to the sky and sky alone to watch for Him and His signs of His Second Coming for Jesus will come in the clouds, just as he was taken up into Heaven many years ago. Be prepared and pray to Jesus to ask him to reveal your path for you. We are all a part in His divine plan and none without a spot in Heaven. All thanks be to The Lord. In the name of The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. Amen.

If the common man could walk up to Jesus in His day and ask him for a blessing, such as a healing or prophetic word of comfort, then its only fitting that we today can come unto Christ and seek blessings from His hand also…
Those that say Christ does not minister to men in our day and age, that He does not speak to men today, give them visions, dreams, healings, etc…
Do not know Jesus, have closed the door of heaven against themselves and to all those they have influence over…
Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever…..
And in the last days I will pour out my Spirit apon all flesh saith the Lord,
Your young men shall have visions,
Your old men shall dream, dreams,
Even apon the least of my children I will pour out my Spirit and they shall prophesy…

Hello Fredie. No one ever ask Jesus for a “prophetic word of comfort” and that “prophetic word of comfort” is not taught in the Bible. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, but not us. we change but God doesn’t. The verse you quote is from Joel and has not been fulfilled as God has NOT poured out is Spirit on all flesh. Look around. This has not happened yet. Please study your Bible more about this subject. You have a fixation on things (like prophets) that God never intended for us to have. Focus on Christ and HIs kingdom (Matt 6:33)>

the lord blessed me with great wisdom and great understanding of the word to use and do his will with, to see things through spiritual eyes and not the worlds eyes, the father speaks through me and also to me through the word and varios different ways, at times I don’t listen other times most times I do, I am honered to serve the lord jesus Christ the kings of all kings in this particular fashon that he uses me, Bound by chains a slave to Jesus Christ, I tell you this my brother I hear truth in your words and I feel the sprit reading what you have written thank you

Mr. Ramos. I believe we should capitalize the Lord’s name since it is a proper noun, and give the Father the same respect by capitalizing the name as you do your own name, but not God’s. No prophet would ever, ever do this. You cannot be a prophet according to the biblical definition though. The Father speaks most clearly thru His Word and His Son, not thru you or thru me. Please study this better sir. You are likely leading others into error too by your teaching…and againa, please capitalize the Lord’s name, the Father’s name, and even Jesus Christ’s which you did none but you made sure to do your own.

Thank you Joseph for your blessing and your comments sir and so let us look at the Greek wording in the New Testament of the word “prophecy.” The spiritual gift of prophecy is listed among the gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12:10 and Romans 12:6. The Greek word translated “prophesying” or “prophecy” in both passages properly means to “speak forth” or declare the divine will, to interpret the purposes of God, or to make known in any way the truth of God which is designed to influence people. Many people misunderstand the gift of prophecy to be the ability to predict the future. While knowing something about the future may sometimes have been an aspect of the gift of prophecy, it was primarily a gift of proclamation “forth-telling,” not prediction “fore-telling.” A pastor/preacher who declares the Bible can be considered a “prophesier” in that he is speaking forth the counsel of God. With the completion of the New Testament canon, prophesying changed from declaring new revelation to declaring the completed revelation God has already given.

Also, note the transition from prophet to teacher in 2 Peter 2:1: “There were false prophets among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you” (emphasis added). Peter indicates that the Old Testament age had prophets, whereas the church will have teachers. The spiritual gift of prophecy, in the sense of receiving new revelations from God to be proclaimed to others, ceased with the completion of the Bible. During the time that prophecy was a revelatory gift, it was to be used for the edification, exhortation, and comfort of men (1 Corinthians 14:3). The modern gift of prophecy, which is really more akin to teaching, still declares the truth of God. What has changed is that the truth of God today has already been fully revealed in His Word, while, in the early church, it had not yet been fully revealed.

Christians are to be very wary of those who claim to have a “new” message from God. It is one thing to say, “I had an interesting dream last night.” However, it is quite another matter to say, “God gave me a dream last night, and you must obey it.” No utterance of man should be considered equal to or above the written Word. We must hold to the Word that God has already given and commit ourselves to sola scriptura — Scripture alone.

I pray everyday that the Holy Spirit apply the bible to my life and that I am receptive to His will and receive increased understanding of the bible. Thus, I ask, how does the text of 2 Peter 2: 1 indicate that there were only prophets in the past and only teachers from that point forward? That to me seems to be adding in some details that are not forthrightly expressed. One can read their personal belief into that scripture, but I do not see that thought soundly derived from the text. Please respond with scripture (I fully understand that we must pray and compare scripture with scripture to fully understand any biblical text). I struggle with this because I know for a fact that the Holy Spirit is real and guides me and others through prompting, etc… Therefore, God does speak to man (although perhaps not in an audible voice). I also know that other people have been prompted by the Holy Spirit to do (or not do) something on my behalf. So God does continue to communicate but perhaps in a different fashion than what is evidenced in the bible. I don’t mean to ramble, but even when thinking about how a Pastor prepares a sermon…I often hear pastors say something like “I pray that God lead me in what I say and how I say it as I seek to deliver a message from God and not my own words.” While all sermons should be scripturally based, the prompting of the Holy Spirit can lead and guide a pastor as to when to preach it, or the different details to be discussed. Please reply someone as I truly only want to gain the right understanding. Thank you!

In this, I could not agree more, Jack. I, too, agree that the land is full of many false profits declaring ‘a word from God’, purely for the purpose of personal profit. Yet again, I agree we should be more than wary of anyone saying, “Thus saith the Lord…”
My difficulty lies in the fact that My God is the same yesterday, today and forever. My God, the god of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, is very much still wanting to direct The Church not only through the ordinances of His Word, but also through “now” guidance direct from His throne.
I see, and have read, translations, interpretations, opinions, and theories regarding modern day prophets, but the one thing I have never seen in the Holy Bible, or in any other text, is proof that there are NOT prophets.
If ‘sola scriptura’ is to be my unwavering pinnacle in decision making, then I would have to say that prophets are still active to this day. Yes, the nature and reason for prophets may have been different in biblical times than they are now, but to deem their relevance in today’s world seems ignorant to me.
If the Spiritual gift of prophecy is no longer active within the Body of Christ, then none of the other gifts are as well. To make the declaration that every gift is still active and in use BUT the gift of prophecy is a direct contradiction.
Many people do mistake the purpose of a prophet. They endow prophets as modern day soothe sayers sent to us from God. Nothing is further from the truth. The office of a prophet is not only very much alive, but is also as vital today as it has ever been.
Think of the function of the old testament prophets. In so many of the biblical texts, they would go before the kings, widows, children of Israel and declare the “now” will of God for a “now” moment. An immediate direction from God concerning an eminent event. They offered direction, orders, counsel, warnings, exposed hidden sins, and even judgments.
How then, Sir, is the only inactive Gift of the Spirit is prophecy? Considering the TRUE full function of a prophet, how is the office of a prophet irrelevant today? Concerning the other Gifts of the Spirit, are they active or inactive, too? If they are active, then how can every gift be active BUT the gift of prophecy?

Thank you so much Reggie for your question or comment sir. I too seek to gain understanding of the Scriptures and to rightly divide the Word of God. As I said before, the New Testament was written in Greek with some Aramaic and what I said was that the Greek word translated “prophesying” or “prophecy” in 1 Corinthians 12:10 and Romans 12:6 properly means to “speak forth” or declare the divine will, to interpret the purposes of God, or to make known in any way the truth of God which is designed to influence people. Many people misunderstand the gift of prophecy to be the ability to predict the future. While knowing something about the future may sometimes have been an aspect of the gift of prophecy, it was primarily a gift of proclamation “forth-telling,” not prediction “fore-telling.” As for 2 Peter 2:1:he wrote that “There were false prophets among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you.” Peter clear uses “even as” in the comparative context that there were false prophets even as (just as) there shall be (will be, future tense) false teachers among you.” He is saying that just as there were false prophets there will be false teachers. He even puts the “false” next to both. As a pastor, I like what pastors say in that they be lead by God in what to say and that is what I pray before giving each and every sermon. Not that they would be my words but from the Holy Spirit. Even in preparation this is critical for human words are worthless but God speaking thru a man is the key.

The prophet who shall speak a word presumptuously in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or which he shall speak in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die. And you may say in your heart, “How shall we know the word which the Lord has not spoken?” When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him (Deut 18:20–22; cf. 3:1–5).

The truth is, there is no fresher or more intimate revelation than Scripture. God does not need to give private revelation to help us in our walk with Him. “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim 3:16–17).

Jude 3 is a crucial passage on the completeness of our Bibles. This statement, penned by Jude before the NT was complete, nevertheless looked forward to the completion of the entire canon: “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that we should earnestly contend for the faith which was once [literally, ‘once for all’] delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). In the Greek text the definite article preceding “faith” points to the one and only faith. There is no other. Such passages as Gal 1:23 (“He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith”) and 1 Tim 4:1 (“In latter times some will fall away from the faith”) indicate this objective use of the expression “the faith” was common in apostolic times.

Greek scholar Henry Alford wrote that the faith is “objective here: the sum of that which Christians believe.”30

Note also the crucial phrase “once for all” in Jude 3 (KJV). The Greek word here is hapax, which refers to something done for all time, with lasting results, never needing repetition. Nothing needs to be added to the faith that has been delivered “once for all.”

Also important in Jude 3 is the word “delivered.” In the Greek it is an aorist passive participle, which in this context indicates an act completed in the past with no continuing element. In this instance the passive voice means the faith was not discovered by men, but given to men by God.

And so through the Scriptures God has given us a body of teaching that is final and complete. Our Christian faith rests on historical, objective revelation. That rules out all prophecies, seers, and other forms of new revelation until God speaks again at the return of Christ (cf. Acts 2:16–21; Rev 11:1–13). The Holy Spirit is working mightily in the church today, but not in the way most charismatics think. The Holy Spirit’s role is to empower us as we preach, teach, write, talk, witness, think, serve, and live. He does lead us into God’s truth and direct us into God’s will for our lives. But He does it through God’s Word, never apart from it. To refer to the Holy Spirit’s leading and empowering ministry as inspiration or revelation is a mistake. To use phrases such as “God spoke to me,” or “This wasn’t my idea; the Lord gave it to me,” or “These aren’t my words, but a message I received from the Lord” confuses the issue of the Spirit’s direction in believers’ lives today.

Inviting that kind of confusion plays into the hands of the error that denies the uniqueness and absolute authority of Scripture. The terms and concepts of Eph 5:18–19 and 2 Pet 1:21 are not to be mixed. Being filled with the Spirit and speaking to one another in psalms and hymns is not the same as being moved by the Holy Spirit to write inspired Scripture.

I apologize for the long discourse but this was important. For a more thorough teaching on this, please read:

Then is the gift of healing with men today or has anyone raised people from the dead? God alone heals whom HE choses, right? Does God still speak this way? Yes, and no. No, because we have the complete Word of God. Yes, because the Word of God is God speaking in this way. We do not have new prophetic messages, but we do have the prophetic message. It is complete, and speaks with all the thundering glory, all the refulgent promise of the prophets of old. As individuals, as families, as churches, as nations the message is the same- if we repent God will bless. If we do not, God will judge.

Prophets in our day then do not receive new revelation from God. They do, however, continue to proclaim the Word of God. Husbands prophesy to their wives when they wash them with the water of the Word (Ephesians 5:26). Parents prophesy to their children when they speak to their children of the things of God when they lie down and when they rise up and when they walk by the way (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). Churches prophesy to the world when they proclaim the faith once delivered (I Corinthians 11:4-5).

Isn’t the Word of God enough? God does not change and the faith that was ONCE delivered has been delivered already. A prophet speaks for God and all the words of a prophet in the Bible were taken as Scripture so this is dangerous ground to stand on.

It is important that we affirm the overlap between Old Testament prophecy and prophecy in our own day. In both instances God’s Word is being proclaimed. In both instances God’s people are called to repentance. It is important also to note the differences. God spoke directly to the prophets of old. Now, His Word is complete. Those who claim to hear directly from God now besmirch the fullness of the Word, and mislead the people of God and in effect say that the Word of God is not enough…God must speak through me now. On the other hand, those who refuse to speak His Word besmirch the power of the Word, and fail to lead His people. Speak. His Word.

If you believe a prophet still exists today, then prophecy to us when a new revival will occur, if one will occur, and what disaster is coming this week? Speak now prophet, whether it is you or someone else. Have him come here and comment and speak a prophecy so that we may believe in him that he speaks for God. Do this to test whether He is a prophet from God or from the other power that is.

This is a personal choice. If they have gifts of miracle healings, please come and visit us at the Shriner’s Hospital to heal these poor children who are dying daily and before you say it takes faith by the person being healed…even the shadows passing over the sick in Acts caused them to be healed…While Paul was in Ephesus, you remember God performed extraordinary miracles through him, according to Acts 19, it says, “Handkerchiefs or aprons were carried from his body to the sick and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.” As we have been seeing in the series, however, Paul and the other apostles had been given unique power, and we talked about apostolic power as unique power; certainly nothing in the New Testament suggests that anybody could send out handkerchiefs and they are going to produce miracles. Go back into Matthew 10:1, “Having summoned His twelve disciples, He gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out,” and that by the way is the gift of miracles. Miracle is dunamispower, power over the forces of demons, “and He gave them the power to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness,” and that was granted to the Twelve. Later on you find out that that group was expanded and it included the 70. Remember when He sent the 70, two by two and gave them the same power? So it was a very small group. “These were the signs,” says Paul, of a true Apostle. “Signs and wonders and miracles,” 2 Corinthians 12:12. They were limited in scope, only casting out demons and healing diseases, and they were limited in terms of who received them, only the Apostles and the 70 commissioned directly by Jesus, those who worked alongside the Apostles. It never went beyond that.

In fact, you look through the New Testament; find out how many healings occurred to believers, absolutely rare. Peter’s wife’s mother, Dorcas, masses of unbelievers, masses of people who may or may not have believed anything about Christ or the Apostles; but it surely wasn’t given to keep everybody in the church healthy and yet today it’s being portrayed as something that’s supposed to be done for believers to keep them healthy, to show them that in the atonement is their healing, totally foreign to Scripture.

2 Timothy 4:20, Paul mentioned that he left Trophimus sick at Miletus; why leave a good friend sick? Why did he leave his Christian friend sick? Why didn’t he heal him? Well, maybe he didn’t have that ability as the time passed on out of the apostolic era, but for sure he recognized that healing was not something you run around doing for your Christian friends. It was never intended as a permanent way to keep the church healthy, yet today Charismatics teach that God wants every Christian well all the time. If that’s true, then why did He let them get sick to start with? It seems a basic question. God didn’t give you an HMO in your salvation, a sort of supernatural HMO that works automatically. God heals when He wants and when He wishes, but that’s up to Him. Paul asked three times to be healed and he wasn’t…so was it his lack of faith? Surely not.

And regarding prophets….if a prophet speaks, the Someone who claims to be a prophet is on very dangerous ground for one thing, Jesus said that in the last days there will be false prophets and Duet 18:22 says “when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him.”

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